Idaho Legislator Calls on Congress to Protect Public Access to Public Lands

State Senator Treg Bernt sponsors joint memorial warning against selling or transferring federal public lands

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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An Idaho state senator is calling on Congress to protect public access to federal public lands and oppose efforts to sell or transfer these lands. Idaho State Sen. Treg Bernt, R-Meridian, has introduced a joint memorial at the Idaho State Capitol that warns selling or transferring public lands would jeopardize access and tradition while also placing financial burdens on states and local governments.

Why it matters

Access to public lands has been a contentious political issue, with some lawmakers proposing to make millions of acres of public land in the West available for sale. This joint memorial from an Idaho legislator is part of a broader effort to protect public lands and access in the state.

The details

Bernt's joint memorial, addressed to Congress, warns that 'selling or transferring these lands would not only jeopardize access and tradition, but also place unsustainable and unpredictable financial burdens on states, local governments and Idaho taxpayers.' The memorial also states that removing the threat of mass disposal of public lands will allow decision makers to focus on solutions for improved management, increased funding for counties with public lands, wildfire response, and land exchanges.

  • The joint memorial was introduced on Monday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.
  • Monday was the deadline for certain committees to introduce new bills at the Idaho State Capitol.

The players

Treg Bernt

An Idaho state senator, R-Meridian, who is sponsoring the joint memorial to protect public access to public lands.

Mike Lee

A U.S. Senator from Utah who previously made an unsuccessful proposal to make millions of public acres of land in the West available to be sold to the highest bidder.

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What they’re saying

“Whereas, selling or transferring these lands would not only jeopardize access and tradition, but also place unsustainable and unpredictable financial burdens on states, local governments and Idaho taxpayers.”

— Treg Bernt, Idaho State Senator (Idaho Legislature)

“Whereas, removing the threat of mass disposal of public lands will allow decision makers and stakeholders to focus on solutions for improved management, increased funding for counties with public lands, wildfire response, shared stewardship agreements and mutually beneficial land exchanges.”

— Treg Bernt, Idaho State Senator (Idaho Legislature)

What’s next

Bernt's public lands joint memorial will be assigned a number and publicly posted on the Idaho Legislature's website after it is read across the desk on the floor of the Idaho Senate, which will likely happen later Monday or on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This joint memorial from an Idaho state senator is part of a broader effort to protect public lands and access in the state, highlighting the ongoing political debate over the management and disposition of federal public lands in the Western United States.